Why Go Hybrid?

In 2006, Oncor joined 14 other utilities to test hybrid-powered bucket trucks in the field. The results of that trial proved very successful and inspired Oncor to add two new hybrid-powered bucket trucks to the Oncor fleet in April 2009.

The reasons Oncor decided to "go hybrid" include:

Improved fuel savings. The hybrid-powered bucket truck saves up to 60 percent on fuel, only one third of which comes from driving. The rest of the savings occur at the work site as the hybrid system operates the bucket or aerial device of the truck.

When a bucket truck arrives on site to work a job, the truck's bucket is used to fix issues along the power line and other electric equipment high in the air. With a non-hybrid bucket truck, the truck's main engine must cintinue to idle and provide power to the bucket, allowing the lineman to move the bucket truck as needed to get the job done. The hybrid-powered bucket truck is able to provide power in battery mode, only re-starting periodically to re-charge and thus providing approximately two-thirds of the fuel savings at the job site.

Reduced emissions. Like other hybrid vehicles, hybrid-powered bucket trucks provide reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), paticulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions are by-products of driving and are considered very bad for the environment. The hybrid-powered bucket truck emits less of these while driving, making it better for the environment and Texas air.

The amount of emissions released into the air at the hybrid-powered bucket truck's destination are also reduced, as the truck idles in battery mode while working at the job site.

Quieter. While idling, a normal bucket truck can be very loud, as the main engine operates to power the bucket. Because the hybrid-powered bucket truck uses battery mode to operate at the job site, it is much quieter — a definite plus when working late at night in sleeping neighborhoods.

Additionally, the quieter hybrid-powered bucket truck makes for a safer and more time-efficient working environment. When Oncor uses a bucket truck, one lineman is in the bucket working while at least one supervisor watches from the ground. It could be hard to hear the supervisor over the roar of the engine if he or she needed to shout a command or warn of a potential safety situation. The new hybrid-powered bucket truck helps eliminate this problem.

Reduced maintenance. Hybrid-powered bucket trucks typically require less maintenance than other bucket trucks. These vehicles have smaller engines because they use less diesel fuel to run, as they also rely on battery power. The reduction in fuel consumption and the reduction in idle time for the engine extends the time between necessary maintenance.